Product Description

Who knew Nashville would look so much like Las Vegas? At least that's how it appears to Robin Rae McAfee---an aspiring songwriter from Freedom, Alabama. Packing witty dialogue, quirky characters, and a rocking "country vibe," her story will make you laugh as it plunges you into the world of today's country music industry. 320 pages, softcover from WestBow.

But after years of being ruled by fear and hiding from my dream, I confronted my limited reality and left home. Forget the hometown hunk who wants to make me queen of his double-wide. Forget Momma's doubt-inspiring tirade. I can make it in Music City...can't I?

In a leap of faith, I gathered my old guitar, my notebook full of songs, and packed up my '69 Chevy pickup. Look out NashVegas!

With the help of some new friends, especially handsome Lee Rivers, my dream is about to find the light of day. But as I face my first night at the Bluebird Cafe, I realize...I might just do what comes naturally. Look for the nearest exit, and run!

ChristianBookPreviews.com

Rachel Hauck has found a calling in today's booming market of Chick Lit. With her new book Lost in NashVegas, Hauck inspires us all to find our dreams outside of our hometowns. Hauck is an Ohio State grad who started off as a software trainer and didn't take up serious writing until 1999. Since then she has had eight books published, including two coming out in Spring 2007.
Lost in NashVegas takes us into a first person view full of hilarity and troubles that will leave everyone grinning from ear to ear.
The book holds considerable wittiness in dialogue, including a southern dialect that you may not have known existed. Our heroine, Robin McAfee, is a twenty-five-year-old still working at a grocer and still stuck in Freedom, Alabama. With the support of her town and her family, except for her more than pressing mother, Bit, Robin makes her way to live in Nashville. Fortunately for her, she makes friends with the locals with the help of her sassy landlady and her go-getting city cousin, Skyler. Once settled in, she finds herself at open mic nights, inside writing studios, as well as cleaning the toilets of upper crust clients.
Troubles start in when her naive nature causes her to be too trusting. Not only is trouble a handsome songwriter, but also her hometown sweetheart and a sweet contractor. With three men running around pulling on her heart strings, Robin nearly loses sight of why she came to Nashville to begin with. The tissue box is needed as she and her mother continually argue about Robin's life and what she should be doing. Later on, as Hauck wraps up her sweet, homey tale, you can find a sense of peace not only in the book but also in your own life.
Lost in NashVegas is not only a good literary book, it also provides a pulling story that makes you believe in your own dreams again. You will struggle alone with Robin as she decides whether to follow God's call or her own plan. Hauck has hit a homerun with a book that can make you smile and fume with anger but also cry on the very same page.  Mallory L. Lahr, Christian Book Previews.com

"Lost in NashVegas" is sprinkled with Rachel Hauck's signature wit. Only this time, it has a southern accent. This is an entertaining book, yet it didn't move along as smoothly as "Georgia on Her Mind." The characters are likeable, but I don't feel as though I know them as well. I did become invested in the plight of the leading lady - cheering her on and making her friends and enemies my own. The leading man was a bit of a disappointment because I really wanted to like him, but the situations he ended up in seemed to be for the sake of adding a sprinkling of conflict to the story rather than being a genuine action for the character. Still, I would recommend this book. Plus, this novel did contain a wonderful life lesson that I will giggle over for many years to come: "you can't pour perfume on a skunk and call it a kitty."

This isn't my normal type of story but the review drew me in. I could relate to someone trying something new, daring and life changing. The banter Robin has going on in her head was great! There's a light-heartedness in this quick read!

Charming, well-drawn characters, a story chock full of adventures and misadventures and giving us the treat of seeing the backdrop of country music. The situations our heroine finds herself in push the line a bit on respectability and therefore makes the book more authentic than some Christian novels. I loved Robin's dilemnas right from the start. A bit of mystery, a bit of courage needed, a break to get in the door, and finding out a trusted friend has betrayed her. And that's just a bit of what the country gal faced in the big city. Another plus is the first person/present tense which reminds me of standard chick-lit that has become popular recently. Not all chick-lit rises above standard. This one does with a mighty leap!

I just finished this book and loved it! The characters were very likeable and the storyline was great. I loved that Robin went for her dream even though she was scared to death. A quick and easy chick lit read.

"Last week, I stocked groceries in Freedom, Alabama. This week, I live in Nashville, Tennessee about to take the stage at the famous Bluebird Caf. Sounds fantastic, doesnt it? Only one problem. Im terrified to sing in front of people."Robin Rae McAfee has always dreamed of writing and singing her songs. The only problem is she's scared to death, and every time she gets near a stage she turns tail and runs. But one day she decides it's time to give her dream wings and see if she will soar or fall. Either way she won't have regrets of what might have happened.This book is a delightful read. I laughed out loud in many places even as my heart ached for Robin in others. Her journey to her dream is not a straight road; instead, twists, turns and do-overs plague the journey. And she learns her past is more intimately connected to her present than she understood. Through it all she is surrounded by family and friends who believe in her even as she loses faith in herself. The book is written from Robin's point of view in a fresh voice. The descriptions and turns of phrases had me laughing out loud. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the music industry, and Robin's very real reactions to bumping into folks like Keith Urban. This book was so much fun that I can't wait to read her other chick lit/romance novels.

Author/Artist Review

Tell us a little about yourself. I love great books, moving music and romantic
comedies. I love witty dialog and a clever-
turned phrase.
I love the music of Misty Edwards. I love my
spiritual children, especially since I have no
children of my own.
I've been married to my grand and great hubby
for 14.5 years. He's my biggest encourager. I
couldn't write books without his constant
support.
I am a worship and prayer leader. Graduated from
The Ohio State University, and am a big
Buckeye's football fan.
I've lived in the south for 32 years, though I
did migrate to my father's alma mater for
college.
I love dogs and cats, most any animal.

What was your motivation behind this project? Lost In NashVegas is a compilation of great
minds. I feel very blessed to have been "given"
this project.
The story started out with a dialog between my
agent and me. She suggested writing southeresque
chick lit.
We brainstormed and came up with the idea of
writing about a songwriter.
I thought,"What could hinder a person from being
a songwriter?"
The thought came, "She's afraid to sing in front
of people."
So, the story of Robin McAfee was born. As I
begin to writer her story, one of my motivations
was to show how we can face our fears, push
through them, and have victory on the other side.

What do you hope folks will gain from this project? First, I hope they have an enjoyable, fun read,
and have a good time relating to Robin Rae
McAfee as she tries to realize her heart's
desire.
Second, to see the powerful love of God. His
love really does cast out all fears.
God has written a dream or destiny on all of our
hearts. After reading Lost In NashVegas, it's my
prayer that folks will be encouraged to pursue
their dreams, or ask God to show them His
purposes for them.

Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? My influences are people who really have a heart
to live all out for Jesus. Not in religious,
judgemental ways, but who pursue a deep, inner
relationship with Him.
My sources of inspiration are all around me.
Friends, family, the fragrance of God. I'm also
inspired by many authors. A good writer has to
be an excellent reader. (smile)